Burial vault fastener



Dec. 26, 1933. E. E. EARL 1,941,165

BURIAL VAULT FASTENER Filed May 12, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l Z7 l I I I I I I I I I I I I 2| I I w M I (n I 1 IO I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I III I111]! Inventor 7 /j EJZ'dIL E Ear; I

flltomey E. E. EARL Dec. 26, 1933.

BURIAL VAULT FASTENER Filed May 12, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Z Z {010 E Zkrl flltomey Dec. 26, 1933. E. E. EARL.

BURIAL VAULT FASTENER Filed May 12, 19553 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor El ar! E lard Patented Dec. 26 1933 BURIAL VAULT 'FASTENER Elton'E. Earl, Oneida, N. Application May 12, 1933. Serial No. 670,768

2 Claims. (or 292--e1) V This invention relates to an improved burial vault of a substantially indestructible ground and waterproof type adapted to serve as a protectiveenclosure for a casket after the latter has been 35 lowered into the crypt or'grave.

One feature of the structure is predicated upon the hinged sectional cover or lid and itsassociated jointing air and waterproofing facilities.

The principal feature of construction has to do with, simple and economical and dependable retaining latches and fastener means for the cover.

It is a matter of common knowledge that in many burial services it is the custom to place the casket in the vault, then close fasten the vault and lower the assembly into the grave. This is apparently due to the fact that the fastening means with which such vaults are equipped is such as to allow it to be operated only from the exterior of the grave.

Needless to say this practice lacksthe requisite dignity andrefinement which should attend a service characterized by solemnity. Therefore, I have been impressed with the need fora style and type of vault which may be placed in the cavity permit the casket to be lowered into the vault and afterwards fastened so as not to detract from the dignity which the occasion requires.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following de-' scription and drawings. I

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: I a

Figure 1 is a side elevational'view of a vault constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of c Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a detail section on the line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the special cover retaining latch.

Figure 9 is an exaggerated sectional view taken approximately on theplane of the line 9'9 of Figure 4.

' or grave before the service begins, whereby to approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 10 is a cross section on the line 10-40 of Figure 2.

In practice the structure ispreferably of all metal rustproof, airproofv and waterproof-construction. The box like casing is distinguishedby the numeral 11 and is of proper dimensions and shape. On the interior of the bottom are transverse longitudinally spaced cleats 12 which constitute rests for the casket (not shown). The cover 13 is of customary transverse curvature to lend itself readily to the somewhat correspond- 'ingly shaped closure of the casket. As here shown the cover comprises a pair of companion sections 14. and 15' with the meeting or abutting edges fashioned as indicated in Figure 10 to provide a waterproof joint. The section 15is formed'with a longitudinally extending channel shaped'kee'per 16 for reception of a depending or laterally directed' complemental keeper flange 17 on ,the section 14. -These cover sections 14 and 15 are attached to the body or casing 11 by way of external hinges 18. The hinges are'of such construction as to allow the cover sections to be swung outwardly against the walls of the grave sufiiciently far to permit unobstructed placement of the casket in the vault. The upper edges of the wall of the casing are provided with inturned flanges 19 forming a rim and this rim is covered with an appropriate packing strip 20 as shown in Figure 6 to provide the requisite water tight 35 joint at the point'of contact between the casing and. cover section.

The cover sections are provided at opposite ends with headed retaining studs 21 designed for cooperation with the duplex type latches 22 (see Figure 8). Each latch is of general U- shaped form and its arm portions 23 have laterally bent terminals 24 which function as retainin'gelements and which are engageable with the'heads of the studs 21 as shown in Figure 4 I when the cover is closed. The numeral 25 desig-r nates a depending attaching tang which is rivet.- ed or otherwise fastened to the end wall of the casing at each end thereof as shown in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 9 the end wall is formed with a screw threaded hole to accommodate the screw threaded shank of a screw or equivalent latch adjusting and retaining elements 27. This may be formed with a wrench head or merely with a head having a kerf to accommodate a screw, driver as shown in the drawings. The inner end thereof is reduced and formed with a headed extension 28 which is fastened as indicated at 29 to the latch. This allows the latch to be bodily moved toward and from the end wall. Obviously,

nals 24 from the headed stud 21.

when the cover is open the adjusting screw 27 is fed inwardly to disengage the retaining termi- After the casket is lowered into the vault and the cover sections are closed down both of the screws 27 are backed out, so to speak, by a screw driver thereby engaging the terminals 24 with the headed studs to clamp the cover sections firmly down in closed or locked position. The principal idea invoked here is the provision of internal resilient latches cooperable with retaining fasteners on the cover sections wherein said latches are operable by simple externally accessible means 27 in order to permit the aforesaid results to be effectively accomplished.

As before stated under this arrangement the vault is lowered into the grave and the cover sec-,

tions are swung open. Then the device is ready for reception of the casket. The casket is lowered in the usual way as if no vault were present in the grave. Then after the ceremony is over the attendant closes the cover sections and enters the grave, standing or kneeling on the cover sections to permit convenient access to be had to the adjusting screws 27. The screws are actuated in an obvious manner to engage the latches 22 with the fastening elements 21'. Thus the job is effectively completed in a simple and dependable manner.

It is submitted that a structure of this type is efficient in performance, positive and dependable in action, smooth and quiet in operation and an obvious mechanical achievement in this particular line of endeavor. It satisfies the requirement of the trade and industry and appears to enter a wholly new and uncultivated field Without precedent. Manifestly the structure embodies proper continuity of structural features and perfect coordination of purpose and function. Characterized by such readily discernible refinements and structural distinction the invention is calculated to further satisfy the requisites of commercial appeal, requisites attractiveness and analogous benefit which attend an innovation of this type.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the illustrative drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the purpose, features and advantages, the explicit construction, and the invention as hereinafter claimed.

It is to be understood that minor changes in shape, size, relative proportions, and materials may be resorted to in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the invention as new claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. Means for attaching hinged cover sections to a casing comprising depending headed studs attached to the under faces of the cover sections adjacent an end wall of the casing, said studs constituting retaining elements, a resilient latch attached to the interior surface of the end Wall of said casing, the latch embodying portions detachably engageable with the headed ends of said studs, and an adjustable actuating screw mounted in a screw threaded opening in the end wall of said casing, the screw being attached at its inner end to the latch and having its outer end portion accessible from the exterior of the casing for the purposes described.

2. Means for attaching hinged cover sections to a casing comprising, a pair of headed studs attached to the under faces of said hinged sections adjacent an end wall of the casing, a latch in said casing attached to the interior of the end wall thereof, said latch embodying a U-shaped portion having a depending attaching tang, upstanding arms, the arms including laterally bent terminals engageable with the heads of said studs, and an adjusting screw threaded through a screw threaded hole in the said end wall of the casing, the screw being attached at its inner end to'the latch and having its outer headed end conveniently exposed for external access to permit adjustment of the latch to and from retaining position.

ELTON E. EARL. 

